OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 95 



swollen stem, are of a substantial character; the numerous 

 imbricate parts, which are covered with long downy hairs point- 

 ing downwards, give the body of the flower a somewhat bulky 

 appearance. It will be observed that I have made no mention 

 of the Conyza traits of divided ray florets and reflexed scales, 

 simply because they do not exist in this species, and though 

 there are other Conyza traits about the plant, notwithstanding 

 its almost isolating distinctions from other Erigerons, it would 

 seem to have more properly the latter name, and which is most 

 often applied to it. The flower stems, which produce the flowers 

 singly, seldom exceed a height of 12in. ; they are stout, round, 

 and covered with soft hairs, somewhat bent downwards. They 

 spring from the parts having new foliage, and for a portion 

 about half of their length are furnished with small leaves, 

 which differ from those on the non-floriferous parts of the 

 shrub, inasmuch as they have no stalks. The leaves are pro- 

 duced in compact tufts on the extremities of the old or woody 

 parts of the shrub, which become procumbent in aged specimens ; 

 the leaves vary in length from 2in. to 4in. long, and are roundly 

 spoon-shaped, also slightly and distantly toothed, but only on 

 the upper half ; they are stout, ribbed, clammy, and glaucous. 

 The habit of the shrub is much branching, dense, and prostrate ; 

 its foliage has a pleasant, mentha-like odour, and the flowers 

 have a honey smell. 



This subject may occupy such positions as rockwork, borders 

 of the shrubbery, or beds of " old-fashioned" flowers. Its flowers, 

 being, as taste goes at the present time, of a desirable form, 

 will prove very serviceable as cut bloom. A good loam suits it 

 to perfection, and no flower will better repay a good mulching 

 of rotten manure. Its propagation, though easy, is somewhat 

 special, inasmuch as its woody parts are stick-like and bare of 

 roots, until followed down to a considerable depth, therefore the 

 better plan is either to take advantage of its prostrate habit by 

 pegging and embedding its branches, or, as I have mostly done, 

 take cuttings with a part of the previous season's wood to them, 

 put them well down in deeply-dug light soil, and make them 

 firm. If this plan is followed, it should be done during the 

 summer, so that the cuttings will have time to root before winter 

 sets in. The layering may be done any time, but if in spring or 

 summer, rooted plants will be ready for the following season. 



This subject begins to flower in June, and, as already hinted, 

 it produces two crops of flowers ; the first are from the parts 

 which have been green and leafy through the winter, the second 

 from the more numerous growths of the new season, and which 

 are grandly in bloom in August ; not only are the latter more 

 effective as regards numbers and colour, but the fuller habit or 

 more luxuriant condition of the shrub render the specimens 

 more effective in late summer. 



